the newbies

mark_swart · Feb 7, 2012

First off -- welcome! I think you're going to have a hard time finding something that is both easily trailerable and comfortable to stay on for a week. Obviously different people have different tolerances for stuff like motion, not being able to stand up straight, showering, etc. Maybe you should go with a smaller starter boat this year (20-23 foot). If you are handy, you can find a neglected one pretty easy, boatangel puts them on ebay all the time and they go for little to nothing, craigslist is another great option. Get your feet wet with that one, fix it up along the way, learn to sail and handle the boat, then sell it (for a profit) when you are ready to make the ICW trip and jump to something 28+ with a little more creature comfort. I'm 5'8 and have had a few boats where I had to stoop inside (O'Day 23, O'Day 26) and I just couldn't stand to be on them for more than a couple of days. Great boats, but headroom is my pet peeve I guess. Best of luck -- this is a fun process!!

Bad Obsession · Mar 15, 2012

Have fun with your new boat!

finding41 · Mar 17, 2012

Hope you get the 87 26D! They are nice and light for towing and lots of room inside! You won't be disappointed.

sailor1950 · Apr 27, 2012

We really had a ball with our San Juan 23. No longer made. We also had a Precision 23, Nice little boat, easy to rigg. Both in the 3000# range. Have fun

Bad Obsession · Apr 27, 2012

Try www.yachtworld.com and start searching for boats. You would have loved my old Hunter 22. That was a great first sailboat and she was in amazing shape.

If you can swing it, look for the waterballest Hunter 26 or the Hunter 260. Very nice boats.

A little older boats, O'day 25 and Catalina 25.

Good luck and I hope you find something quick. you may also try to find a friend and hitch a ride. Sometimes racers are looking for crew and don't really care about your experience. That is a good way to learn sailing and sail trim quickly. I raced for many years and those were valuable experiences.

centerline · Apr 28, 2012

jdzwahlen said:
I'm an average size guy 5'9 around 175 my wife well a decent wind would blow her away lol iv started looking at the catalina 22s and so far i like what i see thank you all again for all your advise its very helpful it looks like we're starting not only a new hobby but joining a whole community thank you again

ya better get out the ropes and tie her down good, cuz if ya buy a sailboat, a decent wind is what you will be hoping for....

Ron20324 · Apr 28, 2012

I was looking at the 25's then found a Beneteau 235. I loved it. Outboard and tiller. Marine head with holding tank. Trailerable.

bffatcat · Apr 28, 2012

22 ft boats

I started off with one almost 50 years ago. It was great but my wife and I soon outgrew it
I eventually bought a pearson 10 meter that I owned for 20 years and sailed it down the coast of maine every summer. It was fine for 2 average size people. When I got older and started having back trouble I sold it and bought my present boat a Pearson 26 weekender. and like the name says thats what it is. And thats what I use it for. My opinion: a 22ft boat is too small for a weeks cruise. Unless you dont mind being cooped up in a tiny cabin in bad weather
that you cant stand up in for several days. If it were me I would think about something bigger

RECESS · Apr 28, 2012

I own a Catalina 22, used to own a Oday 25. I have a friend that owns a Hunter 26 water ballast. His boat sails faster, easier to trailer and powers very well. It is solid at low speeds. I have friend that owns a Macgregor 26X and he has problems coming in at low speed with wind on the boat.

I think for what you are look at doing a Catalina 22 is going to be cramped really fast. I spent a summer on our Oday 25 and we enjoyed it, but it is not the easiest boat to trailer and set up. The Hunter 26 is a light boat but it sails fast, very roomy with a marine head and nice galley for cooking.

I have no experience with a Macgregor 26D, it would probably fit the bill nicely.